Sales Rise for India’s Asian Star

RAPAPORT... Asian Star, an Indian diamond manufacturer, saw revenue jump
13% to $144.5 million (INR 9.46 billion) in the second fiscal quarter.

Sales in the diamond segment grew 7.5% to $123.5 million
(INR 8.08 billion) in the three months to September 30, including subsidiaries,
the Mumbai-based company reported last week. Jewelry revenue jumped 38% to
$28.1 million (INR 1.84 billion). Even so, profit dipped 1.6% to $2.5 million
(INR 164.9 million), as expenses increased 12% to $139.5 million (INR 9.13
billion).

In the first fiscal half to September, revenue advanced 17%
to $303.1 million (INR 19.84 billion), while profit climbed 3.8% to $5.7
million (INR 374.4 million).